440 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



To the King. 

 It may please your Majesty, 



Now that my friend is absent (for so I may call him still, 

 since your majesty, when I waited on you, told me, that 

 fortune made no difference) your majesty remaineth to me 

 king, and master, and friend, and all. Your beadsman 

 therefore addresseth himself to your majesty for a cell to 

 retire into. The particular I have expressed to my very 

 friend, Mr. Secretary Conway. This help, which costs 

 your majesty nothing, may reserve me to do your majesty 

 service, without being chargeable unto you ; for I will 

 never deny but my desire to serve your majesty is of the 

 nature of the heart, that will be ultimum moriens with me. 



God preserve your majesty, and send you a good return 

 of the treasure abroad, which passeth all Indian fleets. 



Your Majesty s most humble and devoted Servant, 



March 25, 1623. p R . ST. ALB AN. 



Indorsed To the King, touching the Provostship of Eton.* 



To Mr. Secretary Conway. 

 Good Mr. Secretary, 



When you did me the honour and favour to visit me, you 

 did not only in general terms express your love unto me, 

 but, as a real friend, asked me, whether I had any parti 

 cular occasion, wherein I might make use of you ? At that 

 time I had none : now there is one fallen. It is, that Mr. 

 Thomas Murray, provost of Eton (whom I love very well) 

 is like to die. It were a pretty cell for my fortune. The 

 college and school, I do not doubt, but I shall make to 

 flourish. His majesty, when I waited on him, took notice of 

 my wants, and said to me, that, as he was a king, he would 

 have care of me. This is a thing somebody would have, 

 and costs his majesty nothing. I have written two or three 

 words to his majesty, which I would pray you to deliver. 

 I have not expressed this particular to his majesty, but 

 referred it to your relation. My most noble friend, the 

 marquis, is now absent. Next to him I could not think of 

 a better address than to yourself, as one likest to put on his 

 affection. I rest 



Your Honour s very affectionate Friend, 



Gray s Inn, pR. ST. ALBAN.f 



the 25th of March, 1623. 



* Mr. Thomas Murray, the provost of that college, having been cut for the 

 stone, died April 1, 1623. 



t To this letter Secretary Conway wrote an answer, acquainting the Lord 

 Viscount St. Alban, that the king could not value his lordship so little, or con 

 ceive that he limited his desires so low ; in which, however, he should have 



